This is Tough

The new year is usually when people make new goals.

They choose things they want to change. They might want better health, or more patience, or more time spent doing things that aren't useless. You want to read more, to do more, to be more.

But then the going gets tough.

Change is challenging. It takes active work, even when you're at rest. It takes conscious thought to do something differently from the way you've always done it.

Change is boring. The before and after pictures are cool to see, but the day-to-day grind of eeking out a change brings no bells, whistles, or noticeable differences. How many small successes do you have to have day in and day out before you can actually celebrate your achievement?

Change is frustrating. You'll make mistakes, you'll fall behind, and you'll feel like quitting. You'll wonder why you can't just get your act together and keep moving forward.

Change is sneaky. It happens so gradually that you'll always wonder if what you're doing actually is making a difference. Maybe you're doing all this work for nothing. Maybe people won't notice anything new about you, even though you're paying the price required. You'll be looking so hard for it that you'll wonder if you're just making yourself see things that aren't there.

Change is tough. But so are you.

Change is renewing. You can succeed, and when you do, you'll empower yourself to change more. You'll make other changes you never thought you could make because you made this one.

Change is love. You change for yourself, but you change because of love. People love you the way you are, but you want to give back. So maybe you improve your health so you can be there for them. Maybe you put down your phone so you can see more of what matters. Maybe you learn something new or achieve something great, and you inspire others to join and walk alongside you.

Change is forgiving. You don't have to keep the decisions of the past. When you choose to change, you forgive yourself for the mistakes you made, and you resolve to do better. You create mercy for yourself instead of punishment. There's no justice in the ashes of the past, so don't stay there. Light a fire for the future instead.

Change is tough. But so are you.

Hopefully, change is permanent. The goals you set for yourself aren't just breezes that blow through your life without leaving a mark behind them. Instead, let them be a hurricane.

Waterfall in Oregon. Change is beautiful.